Japan to Mourn Tsunami Dead

One year ago Sunday, an earthquake and tsunami killed thousands in northeastern Japan and set off a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima atomic plant. Japan will hold a minute of silence and prayers to commemorate the nearly 16,000 victims, with 3,300 unaccounted for by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake. “I do cry every little bit every once in a while, but my true fears will come later, when I have time,” said Koyu Morishita, 54, whose father died after the earthquake and tsunami. A “bell of hope” will toll at the port city of Ofunato, and mourners will set out to sea to release lanterns. The country is still grappling with the toll as the nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima plant shattered public trust in nuclear power and Japanese leaders.